Five things to look for at England XV v France XV at Allianz Stadium
England XV take on France XV at Allianz Stadium on Saturday 21st June, with tickets including access to three RFU County Championship Finals, also taking place at the same venue.
Next generation of England Rugby players emerges
Steve Borthwick recently named a 33-player training squad and, although it didn’t include players from Bath and Northampton due to their respective European finals, there are a number of players to get excited about.
Many of these players are uncapped or in the early stages of their international career, with a handful of 2024 World Rugby U20 Championship winners included.
Asher Opoku-Fordjour: The young prop won his first senior Test cap against Japan during the Autumn Nations Series and has been an important part of Sale Sharks’ push for the Gallagher Premiership play-offs. Opoku-Fordjour was also a pillar of England’s success as they won last year’s U20 World Championship.
Afolabi Fasogbon: Like Opoku-Fordjour, Fasogbon was another powerhouse at scrum time for England U20, but has since established himself in the Gloucester pack this season. He made his first start for the club against Saracens in September, before putting in a notable performance against Lions loosehead Ellis Genge in Gloucester’s fixture with Bristol Bears.
Oscar Beard: The Harlequins centre has been a regular in Borthwick’s England training camps, but is still waiting for his chance to pull on the famous white shirt. Beard played for England A against Australia A and Portugal, and currently sits fifth in the Premiership for defenders beaten.
Experienced heads in the team
With the British & Irish Lions taking 13 England players on their tour of Australia, Borthwick’s side will be missing established internationals such as captain Maro Itoje, Genge and Tom Curry. However, the team still boasts numerous experienced heads who will impart their wisdom to the younger squad members.
Jamie George: George won his 100th England cap during the 2025 Guinness Men’s Six Nations and has been a stalwart of this England side since making his debut in 2015.
George Ford: Just one game away from his landmark 100th England cap, Ford has been in impeccable form this season and will be a crucial cog in unlocking the France XV defence.
Henry Slade: A Premiership and European Cup winner with Exeter Chiefs, Slade has won everything there is to win at domestic level, as well as being a two-time Six Nations winner.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso returns to action
Having suffered a shoulder injury, the highly-rated Feyi-Waboso has been out of action since December, but it is hoped he will be able to return to playing soon.
The 22-year-old winger was a standout performer during the summer tour of Japan and New Zealand, where he scored in every match.
He also scored against the All Blacks during the Autumn Nations Series, giving him a strike rate of four tries from his first five internationals. He is definitely a player to look out for.
All-day rugby
As part of the ticket, supporters will also have the opportunity to watch the RFU County Championship Finals, meaning supporters can enjoy a packed day of rugby.
The action kicks off at 10am with the Jason Leonard County Championship Under 20s Division One final, followed by the Gill Burns County Championship Division One Women’s final at midday. After the England XV vs France XV match concludes, the day will wrap up with the Bill Beaumont County Championship Division One Men’s final at 5:15pm.
Preparing for the summer tour of Argentina & the USA
England travel to Argentina for two matches on 5 July and 12 July, before venturing north to face the USA on 19 July. With world ranking places at stake ahead of the draw for the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup, the game against France XV will be an opportunity to prepare the squad for the games against Los Pumas and the USA Eagles.
